The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-04-30

lneBlSlttlNe L uDllC w NOThs SOiuHllt-
tee with statements that the canal
and reservoir are positively nui-
sance, and that only during rainy
seasons is there any water in the
reservoir, so that in drytime 1t be-
comes great tract of swamp land,
breeding malaria and mosquitoes.
But on Ne other hand equally as
reliable gentlemen from the same
neck of woods appeared and stated
that the State could not afford to
dispose of that part of the public
works, and further, that the canal
and reservoir are positively need
full as a means of water supply to
the Miami and Erie canal--the only
paying canal in the State. How
ever these things may be, the Wig
orous efforts made to sell the Wa
bash, and Erie canal and the six
mile reservoir failed, and at the
time of the failure the result now
experienced was prophesied.
a few weeks ago masked men
blew out part of the embanlSment
of the reservoir, but the Board of
Public Works at once repaired the
damage, and since then has kept
guards on duty constantly to pro-
tect the property of the State. No
violence having been attempted for
some weeks, the Board of Public
Works and the people in general
were beginning to feel secure in
peace. Monday night two hundred
or more masked men marched on
the canal and overpowered the
State guards, after which they pro-
ceeded unhampcred with their
work of destruction. The first news
of the terrible affair was received
here at nine o'clock this morning,
when the following message was
received at the Governors Office:
Governor j. b. Foraker:
On last night two hundred men
marched on the canal in body,
captured guards and held them in
confinement until daylight. Work
ed all night on front and rear
banks of reservoir, cutting enough
to let water out, and then poured
coal oil on lock and keepers house
at reservoir and burned all up. One
hundred more men went to Tates
and the other remaining locks, ard
blew them up with dynamite. No
locks remain on the Wabash canal
The destruction is complete and
mob law reigns supreme. People
of Defiance and Paulding counties
call on you to protect State proper
ty. T.. SQUIRE.
Another telegram received soon
after read as follows: "The mob
has again destroyed reservoir and
three locks, besides destroying lock
keepers house at reservoir. This is
the mob's message. What
protection can we expect?
rs. FRANK EAGLE"
President Flickinger, of the
Board of Public works, telegraphed
as follows: "Report comes to me
this morning that last night mob
destroyed two locks-burned one
and lock-tender's house also. Blew
the banks of the reservoir out. Will
proceed to repair. What can be
done? Answer quick"
In reply to Mr.. Flickinger's tele-
gram Governor Foraker sent the
following:
''Hon. c. A. Flicknger, Member Board of
Public Works, Defiance, o: 4
1 have ordered General AXline
to go Immediately to the scene of
the trouble with one company of
the National Guard to aid the civil
authorities to suppress rioters, pro-
tect the property and preserve
the peace.
Please have the Sheriff of Pauld-
ing county make formal official de-
mand on me for such help. Pro-
ceed Immediately to make repairs
of the property and warn all dis
turbers of the peace that they in
terfere with you at their peril"
To s. Frank Eagle, of Defiance,
the following was sent:
81 have ordered General AXline
to go Immediately to the scene of
action with one company, and as
many more as he may need to pre-
serve the public peace, and have
instructed Mr.. Flickinger, of the
Board of Public Works, to proceed
Immediately to repair the damage
that has been done. The property of
State, and all law-abiding citizens
will be fully protected and every
man who acts with or gives aid or
comfort to the mob will do so at
his peril. The law will be fully
enforced tO its eXtremaSt limit